Paul's Odyssey #9 - Felix the Procrastinator
The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be Sunday, September 28th, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Sunday, August 31st - Grace Conklin
Monday, September 1st - Steve Hester
Wednesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Thursday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Friday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Saturday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel
Monday, September 1st - Steve Hester
Wednesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Thursday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Friday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Saturday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel
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Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey which lasted about 5 years and covered over 2,500 miles.
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey which lasted about 5 years and covered over 2,500 miles.
This study from the book of Acts challenges us to move from information to transformation.
The life of Paul is a fantastic role model for each of us.
We have so many opportunities in the summer to minister to people. Pray that the Lord would give you opportunities to build relationships, open doors of conversations, help others when you become aware of needs and share the story...God's story of Jesus and your story with Jesus!
The life of Paul is a fantastic role model for each of us.
We have so many opportunities in the summer to minister to people. Pray that the Lord would give you opportunities to build relationships, open doors of conversations, help others when you become aware of needs and share the story...God's story of Jesus and your story with Jesus!
Last week, in Acts 23, we left Paul in Jerusalem where he was again the center of a big controversy stirred up by the Jewish authorities.
Paul was taken to the center of Roman government, the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima.
Remember that God has ordained government for the good of mankind. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to ensure that our laws and legislators represent God's will. If we compromise or become passive, then we'll be at the mercy of a pagan society.
Paul was taken to the center of Roman government, the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima.
Remember that God has ordained government for the good of mankind. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to ensure that our laws and legislators represent God's will. If we compromise or become passive, then we'll be at the mercy of a pagan society.
The next three chapters of our study in Acts (chapters 24, 25, 26) deal with Paul's interactions with three Roman officials: Governors Felix, Festus, and Herod Agrippa II, a Roman-appointed king.
Today we'll look at the first of our Roman governors, a man we will refer to as Felix the Procrastinator.
Today we'll look at the first of our Roman governors, a man we will refer to as Felix the Procrastinator.
As we look at this chapter, keep in mind that God often will allow things to take place in our lives for His greater purpose. Many times we view these as obstacles when in reality they are opportunities for growth and service.
Paul didn't have a emotional meltdown because of his circumstances, but kept trusting in God's character, plan for his life, and revealed truth in Scripture.
Paul didn't have a emotional meltdown because of his circumstances, but kept trusting in God's character, plan for his life, and revealed truth in Scripture.
First: The Enemy's DECEIT.
Acts 24:1-9
Our spiritual enemy is Satan, also known as the Devil.
John 8:44 and Revelation 12:9 describe him.
Deceit is defined as, "the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth."
Paul's response or example is Biblical and one we would be wise to follow...Proverbs 26:4; Matthew 5:44-45a.
Acts 24:1-9
Our spiritual enemy is Satan, also known as the Devil.
John 8:44 and Revelation 12:9 describe him.
Deceit is defined as, "the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth."
Paul's response or example is Biblical and one we would be wise to follow...Proverbs 26:4; Matthew 5:44-45a.
John 8:44
BSB
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
BSB
Revelation 12:9
BSB
9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
BSB
Proverbs 26:4
BSB
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
BSB
Matthew 5:44-45
BSB
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
BSB
Second: The Apostle's DEFENSE.
Acts 24:10-21
Paul didn't react negatively in the face of accusation, slander, and injustice. Instead he responded positively. The difference lies in our motivation. Paul wasn't obsessed with making a point but in pointing people toward the Lord.
Acts 24:10-21
Paul didn't react negatively in the face of accusation, slander, and injustice. Instead he responded positively. The difference lies in our motivation. Paul wasn't obsessed with making a point but in pointing people toward the Lord.
Acts of the Apostles 24:10-21
BSB
10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
BSB
Third: The Governor's DECISION.
Acts 24:22-27
When confronted with truth and character, people are moved to make a decision. This passage reveals that Felix and his wife made a number of unhealthy decisions and chose to stay in the shadows, rejecting the light. The worse decision was that of no decision...which in itself is still a decision of no.
Felix, while frightened, lived for this world and believed he had more time.
Acts 24:22-27
When confronted with truth and character, people are moved to make a decision. This passage reveals that Felix and his wife made a number of unhealthy decisions and chose to stay in the shadows, rejecting the light. The worse decision was that of no decision...which in itself is still a decision of no.
Felix, while frightened, lived for this world and believed he had more time.
Acts of the Apostles 24:22-27
BSB
22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
BSB
Felix was a procrastinator. A procrastinator is a person who voluntarily delays making critical decisions or completing important tasks, despite knowing it may cause them negative consequences.
People like Felix are the guiltiest of those who reject Jesus Christ. They know what is right and what God requires but refuse to do so.
People like Felix are the guiltiest of those who reject Jesus Christ. They know what is right and what God requires but refuse to do so.
